“I’m sure he’s a smart boy and has figured out why you aren’t there. Especially if he doesn’t have a good relationship with his father.”
“I just don’t get it. All I want to do is be there, and his father’s being a—”
Mom sat down, wrapping her arms around me. She pulled me against her and I felt my frustration growing. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. I mean, why they fuck did his dad have to be such an absolute asshole? I’d confided in Mom with just about everything. The first time I ever met his father. What he did. The bruises Clint came to school with. The life he really led with his father behind those massive mansion doors.
Her party tricks were wearing thin as my worry for Clint grew.
“Maybe he’s not at the hospital anymore,” I murmured.
Mom kissed the top of my head. “At any rate, it’s best if you stay here and wait for an update. The last thing you need to be doing is storming in there and getting yourself into trouble. Especially after already dealing with the police.”
“It wasn’t his fault, Mom.”
“And I believe you. Bu, until things cool down, you know I’m right.”
I hated that fact, too.
The doorbell rang downstairs and I scoffed. I didn’t give a shit who it was, but I wanted them to leave. Mom kissed me one more time, then ventured downstairs. I heard her whistling to herself, like the sunshine poured out of her ass in that very moment. I rolled my eyes. I hunkered back down by the windowsill and watched the misty rainfall coat my window.
Until I heard familiar voices racing up the stairs.
“Hey! Girlie!”
“Your mom said you’re up here!”
“Get dressed, we’re heading out.”
I whipped around at the sound of Allison and Michael’s voices. They barged into my room, all smiles and dressed to the nines. Well, not really. But Michael stood there in a pair of khaki pants with a polo shirt tucked in and Allison was in one of her bright ensembles.
I furrowed my brow. “What are you guys doing here?”
Allison rolled her eyes. “Does that matter? Come on. Get cleaned up. We’re heading out.”
I stood. “Where are we going?”
Michael grinned. “Pretty sure there’s someone in a hospital waiting to see you.”
My eyes bulged before I started rushing around my room. I threw clothes around while Allison giggled at me, then I stumbled out of my pajamas. I heard Michael leave the room, leaving me to undress as Allison tossed me my clothes. And after I’d pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a T-shirt, I rushed to the bathroom.
“Give me five minutes!”
I brushed my teeth and splashed some water in my face. I ran a brush through my hair before piling it on top of my head in a bun. I grabbed my chapstick and charged out of the bedroom, tucking it into my back pocket.
I found Allison and Michael at the bottom of the steps with my cell phone.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
I leapt down the steps, taking my phone from him. And as I tucked it away in my bra, I looked over at my mother. She smiled at me, blowing me a kiss as I stood there with my two best friends. My heart went out to her. I rushed over to her, giving her a massive hug before I pressed a kiss against her cheek.
“I love you,” I whispered.
She patted my back. “I love you, too. Now, get going. I want to know how that boy’s doing, too.”
We rushed out toward Michael’s car and hopped in. I crawled in back, anxious to get out of this driveway and on the road. I knew Mom had called Michael and Allison. Probably to try and pull me out of my funk.
But had she called the hospital as well?
I licked my lips. “Does anyone at the hospital know we’re coming?”